Stop Me If You've Heard This Before: Joel Embiid Is Injured

The biggest surprise of the NBA season has occurred. It's up there with the Dallas Mavericks firing Nico Harrison and Victor Wembanyama leading the league in blocks per game on the shock scale. Joel Embiid is injured. Again.

Stunning, right?

It's important to note that this is NOT the knee that has been giving him trouble over the past who knows how long (his left knee), but is instead the right knee - which I think makes things worse? This is further confirmation that Joel Embiid's body continues to deteriorate and he will never play at his highest level again. It's sad, but the part that's even more sad is the nearly $200 million extension Daryl Morey handed him, keeping the Sixers on the hook until 2029.

Additionally, this is just further proof that the Sixers need to shift away from any reliance on Embiid. He's not someone you can trust to lead a team at this point in his career. This team belongs to Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

The part that is a bit confusing about Embiid's recent right knee soreness is his lack of playing lately. In the past week, he played 25 minutes on Tuesday in a loss to Chicago, didn't play in Wednesday's game in Cleveland, no games on Thursday and Friday, played 25 minutes in Saturday night's win over Toronto, didn't play in Sunday's loss to Detroit, and had no game on Monday. Why is his knee sore? The entire point of the minute restriction and absence in the second half of back-to-backs is to prevent soreness. How is this guy going to hold up over the remainder of the season if he can't handle this limited schedule? And a playoff series? Forget it.

Despite the fact he completely sunk the team during the final minutes against the Bulls, where Nick Nurse insisted on playing through him on offense, they need to prepare for life after Embiid - which may be coming sooner rather than later. With this recent news, it seems very unlikely he will be able to be a meaningful part of the team this season. What happens in the playoffs when he won't be around and you're left with a hole in your offense because you relied on him whenever he played during the regular season?

It really is a shame for Joel Embiid and at this point, you have to feel bad for a him - even if you can't stand him. But you also don't have to feel too bad because I will remind you he will make nearly $60 million this season whether he plays or not. Regardless, basketball is a business. The Sixers need to move on and worry about the guys that will be playing. An Embiid-less Sixers team is your reality.